| February, 2013

The 85th Oscar ceremony has come and gone. While Argo won best picture, the awards were pretty divided between Django Unchained, The Life of Pi, Lincoln and Skyfall. Perhaps the biggest highlight included Shirley Bassey singing Goldfinger followed by Adele belting out Skyfall, the most memorable James Bond song since Timothy Dalton was 007. In fact, Oscar had better music than the Grammy Music Awards from a few weeks ago. Next week, The Miami International Film Festival (MiFF XXX), held March 1-10, will celebrate its 30th year making it the longest running film festival in South Florida. I am looking forward to interviewing veteran character actor James Cromwell and director Michael McGowan. The two are in town to champion Still Here, an excellent drama slated for local release in May.

Twenty Feet from Stardom opens MiFF XXX this Friday night. This documentary is about “back up” singers to famous rock stars like Mick Jagger, Stevie Wonder and Bruce Springsteen. Vocalist Darlene Love will be in attendance and is expected to sing. Another documentary, Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story makes it’s South Florida debut. This documentary concerns Ungerer’s neurotic obsession and finding his outlet through the visual arts. Director Brad Bernstein presents a 98-minute moving portrait of Tomi Ungerer from children’s illustrator to subversive artist. From the United Kingdom comes Venus and Serena, a documentary about The Williams Sisters of West Palm Beach. Filmed in 2011, this film follows the tennis circuit in which both sisters battled serious health ailments. Blackfish is about one of the biggest mammals in the world, the Orca Whale. Since Orlando’s SeaWorld trainer Dawn Brancheau was killed in a “rare” accident, Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite discovers evidence to the contrary. If you liked The Cove, you may want to check out Blackfish. For those interesting in adventuring in Miami for the next two weeks for MiFF XXX, check out www.miami.festivalgenius.com/ 2013.

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The last time Deerfield Beach won a state title it defeated Blanche Ely in the 1999 championship game. Now, both teams, in different classes, have the same aspirations.

Blanche Ely, the defending Class 7A champion and top ranked team in the state, survived a scare and held on for a double overtime, 85-79 victory over visiting Palm Beach Lakes to advance to Lakeland for the state semifinals this week.

The Tigers are hopeful of becoming just the third team from Broward County to win back-to-back state championships on Saturday night.

Marcus Owens scored 17 points and pulled down 8 rebounds, while Joshua Huntley added 10 points and 12 rebounds for the Bucks (28-4), who will play the state’s fifth ranked Hagerty (Oviedo) squad in the state semifinal on March 1. It is the Bucks first trip to Lakeland since 1999 when it last won the state title.

Deerfield Beach coach Kenny Brown said the team learned a lot in its two losses to Blanche Ely down the stretch. Blanche Ely handed Deerfield Beach its only two losses in its past 10 years.

“Those losses taught us we have to play 32 minutes of Bucks basketball,” Brown said. “We learned that we had to come out and play tougher and play hard. This is a different team now. I know that defense wins championships, but I am an offensive guy and we work on shooting.” Blanche Ely needed to work overtime to punch its ticket to the state tournament in Lakeland – double overtime actually. The Tigers (25-1) will face Bartow in the Class 7A state semifinals next week at the Lakeland Center.

Richard Lee led the Tigers, who are ranked No. 18 in USA Today’s Super 25 national poll, in scoring with 22 points. Lance Tejada and Dallas Cameron scored 19 and 20 points, respectively, as Blanche Ely rallied from a 63-58 deficit with a little more than two minutes remaining. Khalil Thomas finished with 16 points, 17 rebounds and five blocks as the Tigers outscored Palm Beach Lakes, 11-2, in the second overtime.

Feb. 1 Residential burglary was reported in Waterford Courtyards South, 2704 SW 15 St. Complainant reported that unknown person(s) had broken into his residence. Point of entry was by smashing out a slider window. Taken from the residence were a PS3, iPad and electronic games. The area was canvassed.

Lighthouse Point

Feb. 13 A woman reported a 10 ft. bronze statue stolen from her home at 2600 NE 43 St.

Feb. 13 A woman reported two bicycles stolen from her home at 3001 NE 51 St.

Feb. 5 A woman was arrested and charged with petty theft at Publix at 3700 N. Federal Hwy. The woman stole 17 items valued at $107.87.

RE: “Reconsider beach parking permit restrictions”

I strongly agree with the current ruling that beach permits be offered to full-time residents only. Here’s why.

There’s limited parking at our beach and those living and working in Deerfield Beach all year certainly earn the right to park at their beach first!

I’ve been a loyal patron to restaurants, stores, clubs and beaches for the 15 years before moving to Deerfield Beach and have worked two jobs in order to stay here. It’s amazing to finally be able to easily park at the beach that I live here for!

Oh, and regarding the accusations to “Madam” Mayor and the city commissioners — of “inequities and discrimination” of seasonal residents — I find it offensive and ludicrous and deserving of an apology from you.

Louise Volpe

Deerfield Beach

Many thanks

Dear Editor:

We would like to thank the permanent residents present at the Deerfield Beach city commission meeting on Feb. 12 at City Hall, who asked for fairness and equality between the permanent and seasonal residents, regarding beach parking stickers.

Snowbirds requested to reclaim their previous rights to purchase beach parking stickers, just like the Floridians.

One permanent resident felt entitled to privileges on the grounds that she pays taxes for the full year; also, it is in the winter that she goes often to the beach; in the summer, the sand is too hot.

In the audience we could hear: “wear shoes” or “go earlier or later in the day.” Permanent residents, we thank you and appreciate your acknowledgement that snowbirds pay more taxes for less services.

Kudos to the very charming lady who quipped, regarding the wait for a parking spot, “It is like everything else in life: first come, first served.”

One outcome of permanent residents requesting discrimination against snowbirds could result in “no winners” if the suggestion of one commissioner is adopted: “eliminate stickers for everybody and put pay-and-display meters everywhere.”

BBQ lunch, facility tour and presentation by a certificated flight instructor. Every guest receives certificate for two free hours of instruction in one of the flight simulators. 954-785- 1450 or www.americanflyers.net/about/aviation_seminars.asp.

Hosted by Community association law firm Kaye Bender Rembaum. Targeted to board members and property managers of condominium, homeowner and cooperative associations. 954-776-1999, ext. 255 or www.KBRLegal.com.

SAVE THE DATE Elks Bingo Bash

Sunday, March 10, 10:30 a.m.

700 NE 10 St., Pompano Beach, FL 33062

$60 per person, reserve in advance today: $30. Deposit required, includes choice of seat. Reserve before March 5 and be entered in a special drawing. Giveaways and prizes all day. Doors open 10:30 a.m., paper distribution: 11:30 a.m., games begin: 1 p.m. Break for free dinner buffet. Reservations/questions: 954-781-2300.

Our son, still a very young man, takes a well-deserved early retirement from the army this week. He returned from Iraq last year with more injuries than desires to explain them. But he is among the ranks of our more fortunate veterans who physically, mentally and emotionally survive the call to duty. Like most Americans, we are grateful. Like most parents, we are proud.

I remember our son as a young boy playing on the floor with those little green rubber soldiers. He would, as a child with pretense and make-believe, make sounds and crashing noises he would hear for real as a young man. I suspect he prays to forget those noises now …

It was a great privilege to see him carry the flag for his graduating class. A few years later, it was an even greater privilege for his mother and me to join a few thousand family members in the wee hours before sunrise to welcome home a few hundred of our soldiers.

It was joyful when the troops marched in formation to meet families straining to see and have that first glimpse of their soldier. All around us, we heard families when they saw their soldier excitedly call out, “There he is! There he is!”

It was somber when the troops once assembled were held in formation. There was a respectful silence that set upon this jubilant crowd when the troops were addressed by their commanding officer.

He gave thanks for each soldier being safely reunited with families and he gave thanks for the honored few who had already returned home, soldiers deployed with these troops the preceding year, but returned earlier, after having been seriously injured or after having given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Billy Graham once wrote on the topic of duty that “every generation is strategic. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age and how well or how poorly we take advantage of the opportunities we have.”

If you believe as I do that answering the call to duty for our nation is important then faint not at the idea, it is even more important that we answer the call to duty in the church Christ leads.

When Jesus says, “Come, you that are blessed” he challenges the very people who say we are his disciples to chose a path that is neither pretense nor make-believe.

It is the Christian’s uncomplicated call to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned. And we will be held to account as to how well or how poorly we take advantage of our abundant opportunities to do these things.

MATTHEW 25

The Truth is we serve a Lord even greater than the greatest nation in the history of the world, who makes it possible for even fallen soldiers to reunite one day with loved ones.

JOHN 12:27

Jesus says, “For now my soul is troubled and what should I say — ‘Father, save me from this hour?’ No, it is for this reason that I have come to this hour.”

Friends, these are among the reasons we are blessed to answer our call to duty!

Join us Saturday @ Six and Sunday morning at 8:30 or 11 a.m. The Sunday Message “Call to Duty” is based on Matthew 25: 31 – 40.

Reverend Andrews is Minister at Community Presbyterian Church of Deerfield Beach (Steeple on the Beach) located five blocks south of Hillsboro on AIA. See more @ www.communitych.org or on Facebook.

Deerfield Beach High boys’ basketball coach Kenny Brown believes this could be the best team he has had in his five years at the school.

“I think this year’s team compares favorably to the teams we’ve had in the past,” said Brown, whose team defeated Cypress Bay, 54-34, behind Marcus Owens’ game-high 21 points, 8 rebounds and 4 steals in the regional semifinal on Tuesday night. “I think this year’s team is deeper. We have a sense of urgency because these guys are seniors. Many of them have been on varsity for all four years. It’s been a long time coming. They deserve what they can get.”

The Bucks (27-4) are the top-ranked Class 8A team in the state and are hoping to reach the state final four. The team lost in the regional final last year to Spanish River, 67-61. Until then, Deerfield Beach hadn’t reached the state series since 2004.

“It hurt immensely,” said Brown, whose team will host Jupiter on Saturday night in the regional final. “It hurt a lot, but at the same time, we used it as a learning experience of what it takes to get to where we want to get to. We know this is a small stepping stone to where we are trying to get. I can always reference back to last year and say if you don’t like that feeling, make sure you do everything you need to do.”

The Bucks are hopeful of winning a state title they first won in 1997.

They won again in 1999 under then coach Melvin Randall, who now coaches at Blanche Ely and led the Tigers to the Class 7A championship last season.

Two of Deerfield Beach’s four losses this season were to Blanche Ely, another was a loss to Sagemont and the fourth was a 5-point defeat to Ballard (KY) in the Kingdom of the Sun holiday tournament in Ocala.

“This is fun, but we want more,” said senior guard Terence Johnson, who leads the team with 17.2 points and 5.2 rebounds per game. “We want the state championship. The seniors know this is our last year so we are more hungry because we want to go out on top. There isn’t really any pressure. We know we are the favorites and we don’t want to let anybody down, especially ourselves so we are going to try and win it all.”

The National Endowment for the Arts has placed Rudolfo Anaya’s Bless Me Ultima on “The Big Read” list, along with titles like “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Maltese Falcon.”

Given the brevity of the novel, the deep themes about religion, folklore and Latino Culture, it was only a matter of time that a movie would be produced. Set in New Mexico during World War II, the film opens with Antonio (Luke Ganalon) narrating the story about his childhood. He is a boy caught between his mother’s Roman Catholicism and his father’s dreams of being a cowboy

in the tradition of Mexican “vaquero.” When Grandma Ultima (Miriam Colon) moves into the house, Antonio finds an elder who can explain the complications of life.

In the Latin Culture, Ultima would be considered a “curandero;” in an Italian Culture, she would be considered a “strega;” to ignorant cultures, Ultima would be considered a “witch.” In fact, Ultima uses nature’s bounty to solve both physical and spiritual ills and mentor Antonio about good, evil, acceptance and understanding. Director Carl Franklin has created visual poetry within the narrative framework in this film. Without 3-D imagery, this motion picture features vibrant cinematography that will inspire the New Mexico tourist board.

Despite the inherit drama of Bless Me Ultima, the actors are understated and provide a truthful performance. As young Antonio, Ganalon provides the maturity often found with children found in rural settings. As Ultima, Colon captures the character’s transcendental tendencies.

Given the attention the Oscar-nominated films will see this weekend, Bless Me Ultima may get lost in a crowd of motion pictures with big marketing budget; this is sad. Like most great literature dealing with a child’s “coming- of-age” (The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, To Kill a Mockingbird), this film features fine family entertainment.

DEERFIELD BEACH

Feb. 13 It was reported that a women who was working at Boca Rejuvenation at 441 S. Federal Hwy. took $600 from the front desk drawer. At the time of the report, it was not known if the owner wanted to press charges.

Feb. 14 A man approached an employee at Verizon Wireless at 3656 W. Hillsboro Blvd. regarding an upgrade for his cell phone. The man then stole a display cell phone valued at $729.

Feb. 17 A man was arrested and charged with a narcotics felony following a traffic stop. He was found in possession of Xanax.

Feb. 17 A pickup was reported stolen from a residence at 561 N. Ocean Dr.

DEERFIELD – District 4

Feb. 2 Theft was reported at Sumo Restaurant, 3354 W. Hillsboro Blvd., at 2:37 p.m. Complainant reported that between 5 – 7 a.m., unknown person(s) had smashed the front glass door to the business. Taken from the restaurant was an unknown amount of coins from the cash register. Scene was processed and the area was canvassed.

Feb. 2 Auto theft was reported at 1900 SW 43 Terr. at 10:04 p.m. Victim stated that between Jan. 31 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Feb. 2, unknown person(s) removed a 1999 Kenworth tractor. Inside the vehicle were tools, a television and a CB radio.

LIGHTHOUSE POINT

Feb. 6 A man reported that someone had taken water from his home at 2765 NE 23 Ave. The man found a hose in his yard and noticed that the water bill had gone from $25 to $187.

Feb. 10 A man reported that his cell phone valued at $650 was stolen while he was at CVS at 3580 N. Federal Hwy.